63. Morocco: Walima Cafe

Walima Cafe
1450 Danforth Ave
(West of Coxwell)
647 268 3327

Incense, decorative lanterns and mood music present an authentic North African ambiance. We are greeted somewhat off-handedly but the service improves as the evening goes on. We order mint tea which arrives in a large silver pot with a charming handle cover and accompanied by ornate, colourful glasses. For starters we choose Morocco salad $4.75, Beet Salad $3.75 and Hummus $4.25. Our main courses are Chicken Tagine $12.25, Shrimp Tagine $13.25, Lamb Tagine $13.50, Fish Tagine (Tilapia) $13.25 and Vegetarian Couscous $12.00. A Tagine is a heavy clay pot in two parts - circular base like a plate and a tall cone that sits inside the base as the dish cooks in the oven. The result is tender meat in flavourful sauces. By the time we'd just about given up hope of ordering dessert, our host had warmed up sufficiently to offer us sweet plates (assortments of traditional pastries) we order two lots to share between the six of us at $4.95 a plate. These tasty morsels disappeared quickly helped along by our second pot of mint tea. Total for six dinners $131.81 plus tip.

Rating: Ambiance (3)
Service (3)
Food Presentation (4)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (3)

62. Venezuela: Arepa Cafe

Arepa Cafe
490 Queen Street West
(between Bathurst & Spadina)
416 362 4111

When we arrived at the restaurant we had to wait for a table to become available so that the six of us could be seated together. It was a bit awkward and we helped move chairs to make it easier. They were expecting a party of 14 to arrive and were a bit flustered by us showing up as well.
The decor is a blend of past and present where bare brick walls and tin ceiling are complimented by urban modern fixtures.
For starters we order berros (watercress salad with tomato, avocado and pickled onion), $3.75, lentil soup $4.00 and codfish soup $4.00. The latter was very well seasoned and not overly salty.
Arepas, of the restaurant's name, are made from cornmeal formed into patties then grilled and cut open so they become like buns for sandwich fillings. We try three of the many arepa varieties- avocado & fresh cheese, $7.00 [picture below]; cazon bacalao (salted codfish, sweet peppers, onion and garlic), $7.00 and grilled chicken with herb mayonnaise, $7.50.
Our server explained the tempting desserts in the display case and we chose the guava tart $4.50 and Tres Leches $5.75. We drink decaf Americanos and sugar cane lemonade as there is no liquor license here. Total for four three-course lunches $80.23 plus tip.

Rating: Ambiance (3)
Service (2)
Food Presentation (3)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (3)

61. Ecuador: El Tipico Ecuatoriano

El Tipico Ecuatoriano
2312 Keele St (just south of Lawrence)
416 614 1136

We're the first customers in the door when they open up at noon on Saturday but three other tables fill up quickly.
Our menus and a pot of spicy salsa are brought to the table. I notice that the prices are higher than those on the website.
I order a special dish available only on weekends: Encebollado de Pescado [pictured here]- a hearty soup made with chunks of fresh tuna and cassava then garnished with cilantro and thinly sliced, pickled red onion, $11.00. A dish of roasted and salted corn kernels arrives and I'm not sure how to proceed. The waitress explains you can try them in your soup or eat them as is. They are crunchy and addictive; a bit like dry-roasted peanuts. The "arroz con pollo" - breaded chicken strips with rice, salad(again with slices of pickled onion) and fries is a tasty and filling meal but perhaps not as adventurous, $11.00 . We drink coffee at a dollar a cup.
Total $27.12 plus tip for two filling lunches. A large Ecuadoran flag pinned to the wall shows national pride but the strip mall location and Latin music videos on the TVs do little for the ambiance.

Rating: Ambiance (2)
Service (3)
Food Presentation (3)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (3)

60.South Africa: Nando's

Nando's Flame-grilled Chicken
839 Eglinton Ave East
(east of Bayview)
416 425 9292

I realize I'm breaking one of my rules here as Nando's is a restaurant chain.
Established in a suburb of Johannesburg in 1987, by friends Robert and Fernando, Nando's now has restaurants in 24 countries. There are seven locations in Ontario. Not all of Nando's Ontario outlets are licenced but this one sells beer and wine.
The menu is based on Mozambique/Portuguese style flame grilled chicken peri peri. We order and pay at the counter and take a sign with a number painted on it to our table. A half chicken dinner with two sides (peri fries and hearty coleslaw) is a filling meal for $13.69. The veggie burger served on a Portuguese roll was flavourful and well grilled, $8.49. We opt for tea at $1.49 each, since we're driving.
They sell bottles of various sauces and marinades made in South Africa that feature peri peri the bird's eye chili.
There are interesting bits of South Africa influenced decor but Christmas tinsel and disco music do not add to the ambiance. The service is what you would expect in a fast food outlet.

Rating: Ambiance (2)
Service (2)
Food Presentation (2)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (3)

59. Moldova: Moldova Restaurant

Moldova Restaurant
5000 Dufferin Street, Unit 1
(just south of Steeles)
416 665 4566

When we arrived for Sunday lunch the room was set up for a large party and the server wasn't sure what to do with us. We were seated by a window and perused the placemat menus. The food choices reflect Moldova's geographical position in Eastern Europe between Romania and Ukraine.
We chose: borsht, a hearty mixed vegetable soup, $4.99; kishineu, a surprisingly tasty cold dish made with thick slices of fried eggplant topped with with mayonnaise, grated cheese & tomatoes, $4.99 [pictured here]; chicken tabaka, spicy marinated, cornish hen, $13.99; chicken breast shishkebob with rice, $10.99; coffee $0.99 a cup; jug of water on the table.
Total for four generous lunches - $55.37 plus tip.

Rating: Ambiance (2)
Service (2)
Food Presentation (3)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (3)

58. Afghanistan: Taste of Afghanistan

Taste of Afghanistan
Downsview Park Merchant's Market Food Court
40 Carl Hall Road
(Sheppard and Keele)
416 638 2525

To find the food court you've got to walk to the back of the Downsview Park Merchant's Market and past the nearly 500 vendors peddling their wares. There are no fast food chains here, only family operated booths serving ethnic eats from far flung places.
We're here to try A Taste of Afghanistan, after reading about it in a Toronto Star article some months ago. The proprietor is friendly but not pushy, giving us glasses of green tea as we place our orders. We choose Bolani - a thin crust flat-bread stuffed with sauteed leeks and onions and Quabili Paulau - large chunks of tender meat on basmati rice topped with carrot julienne and raisins served with a spicy mint dipping sauce [both dishes pictured here]. We order at the counter then take a seat at a nearby table. The food court is spacious and brightly lit but booming music and sticky tables are a turn off. The food is authentic and tasty and at $15 for two filling lunches a pretty good deal.
We browse a book stall but nothing else about the place makes us want to stay. The "farmer's market" is just food terminal produce sold no cheaper here than my local shops. There is no charge for parking or admission and the market open Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6 pm.

Rating: Ambiance (1)
Service (2)
Food Presentation (2)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (3)

57. Belgium: Le Petit Déjeuner

Le Petit Déjeuner
191 King Street East
(East of Jarvis)
416 703 1560

This restaurant has an authentic continental atmosphere with somewhat incongruous green sparkly leatherette upholstery. We showed up about 6:30 on a Wednesday night. The waitress asked us if we were with "the party". We answered no and were seated at the front near the entrance and ordered drinks. They have several Belgian and Belgian style beers on the menu and we sample the Stella Artois, $5.50 bottle and the Mill Street Wit, $5.75 pint. The later is a locally brewed wheat beer. They also have an extensive list of loose leaf teas at $2.25 and we opt for the orange pekoe and masala chai rooibos.
Before ordering meals, we were told that they had no steak. For our main courses we choose: Flemish style beef stew - lean beef stewed with brown beer, served with a side salad and Belgian fries [pictured here], $14; Flemish Savoury Crêpe - filled with mushrooms, spinach and peppers served with apple slaw, $13; mesclun green salad served in a crispy poppadom cone with balsamic dressing, $5.50 and the soup de jour - which was a tasty blend of cauliflower, endive and cheddar, $5.00. The food was good but not exceptional. We order desserts - crème brûlée about $6.00 and Brussels style waffle with strawberries, organic maple syrup and chantilly cream $8.65 and waited. After some time, the waitress returned and told us that our dessert would take up to half an hour and suggested that we would not want to wait. We asked to our bill and then she returned in a few minutes saying that the desserts were now available and the chef was offering them to us gratis. We felt sorry for the waitress who was doing her best in difficult circumstances. Total for four dinners $73.40 plus tip.

Rating: Ambiance (4)
Service (1)
Food Presentation (3)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (3)